Tag Archives: memories

We’re thrilled to announce that the Living Memory Association, Edinburgh’s Reminiscence Centre, has moved its photo archive onto Edinburgh Collected (www.edinburghcollected.org) where it is searchable alongside other community photographs and memories of Edinburgh.

The Living Memory Association have been collecting old family and personal photographs donated by members of the public since 2002. Most are of Edinburgh, and the majority are from the 20th century, but the oldest photographs date from 1850.

Some people might wonder why they’ve collected family photos and snaps of everyday life – images of family life, childhood, work, recreation, school and holidays?

Evelyn Whitfield (née Sime)“The Guide uniform was a bright blue cotton tunic, worn with a leather belt with a buckle. Later, older Guides were allowed to wear the tunic tucked into a navy skirt. The tie was bright yellow and had to be folded and knotted correctly. The metal badge had to be polished with Brasso and pinned on. The embroidered badge showed I was in the Chaffinch Patrol. The beret was navy…The calendar was a Guide Association one. The flying duck was, of course, one of a set of three.” – Evelyn Whitfield

Well, simply because they are ordinary. The archive is a celebration and a record of the richness of ordinary lives, lived, quite often, through some extraordinary times.

Rumours of the old house being haunted, romantic walks in the rose garden, dancing to music at the bandstand, catching fish in jam jars at the Water of Leith… these are just some of the colourful memories recorded so far as part of the Saughton Park Restoration Project.

Since summer 2016 Edinburgh charity the Living Memory Association has been working with volunteers to uncover the social history of the park and the surrounding area.
The material will help shape the park, for example in new artwork and information panels, and be archived for the benefit of future generations.

The Edinburgh and Scottish Collection are hosting an exhibition where you can enjoy a taste of the memories, images and documents collected so far, and read about the plans for the restoration project.

Just thought we’d share some highlights from the many memories that have appeared on Edinburgh Collected since its launch in April.

This fabulous shot captures the story of our summer so far –

Edinburgh Rainbow shared by SKerr

‘From There to Here’ have added some simply spectacular photos of children playing on Wester Hailes’ ‘Venchies’, a series of wooden play structures. The pictures date back to sunnier summers of the late 70s and early 80s.

Venchie Fun shared by From There to Here

We’ve also been collecting memories of the Church Hill Theatre which will shortly be marking its 50th anniversary as a community theatre venue. This wonderful ensemble shot documents the cast of the first ever pantomime at the Church Hill Theatre back in December 1965.

‘The Enchanted Waltz’ pantomime shared by Church Hill Theatre

Go back to school with Kathleen Glancy who’s shared her memories of her 1950s schooldays. She remembers how she covered her school books with brown paper, the school nurse’s visits and her prefect duties of bringing in the crates of milk and keeping the classroom coal fire burning!